Speaking and Listening

Speaking and listening is one of those strands of Literacy that sometimes gets forgotten or can seem as if it isn't being done. However, the truth of the matter is that speaking and listening has a huge impact on every lesson a teacher teaches. It can be the case that not every child gets to speak in every lesson and therefore direct and explicit lessons in speaking and listening are useful. Children must remember that listening is as important as speaking and both activities are 'active,' meaning that being an audience isn't an opportunity to think about the weekend, what's for dinner or when it's your turn to go up and speak. Listening requires the audience to engage in what is being said and respond to the message or ideas accordingly.

Epictetus, the Greek Philosopher, said: 'we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.'

What Makes Good Speaking Skills?

Be clear about your subject matterBe enthusiastic about your subject matter or risk losing your audienceSpeak in a clear voice and at a suitable pace (take pauses for breath and thought)Make eye contact with your audienceUse hand gestures to emphasise what you mean or to show feelingUse your face and voice to show meaning and express intonationIf you must use papers or notes, hold them down so your face is not coveredKeep as still as possible unless movement is planned (rocking or fiddling suggests nerves)

What Makes Good Listening Skills?

Make eye contact with the speakerRemain still throughout the speech (avoid any fiddling with objects)Give clues that you are listening: nod or in a one-to-one situation, you can give some short responseEnsure that only one person speaks at a time (turn-taking)Ask a (relevant/related) question at the end which shows that you were listening

What Makes Good Speech Writing Skills?

Use relevant and emotive vocabulary that give your thoughts, feelings and show your expertiseA clear introduction and conclusionA series of points explaining why you are speaking or to back up your ideasTell the story that led you to the speech in the first placeConfidence in what you are saying even if you need to exaggerateConsider the effect of short sentences and phrases as well as repetitionUse quotes and statistics if you need a range of evidence to support ideasEnd with a clear and thought provoking message

What Makes Good Interviewing Skills?

When meeting your interviewee, explain the purpose of your interviewAsk open-ended questions (unless you want one-worded answers)Look at the interviewee in the eyesMake it clear that you are listening carefully to the answers by nodding or giving instant feedbackEnsure the next question you ask is related in some way to the previous answerAvoid thnking about the next question while your interviewee is replying to the previous oneAfter the interview, prepare to use some of the responses as quotes for your piece